Perennial. Leaf-blades linear-lanceolate, flat or inrolled when dry; ligule a ciliolate rim. Inflorescence an open or narrow panicle, spikelets remote; cleistogamous spikelets often developed in the upper leaf-sheaths. Spikelets 1-severalflowered, laterally compressed; rhachilla internodes pubescent at the apex; glumes membranous, unequal, the lower shorter than the upper, 1-nerved or 3-5-nerved in the lower part, acuminate to obtuse; lemmas 3-5-nerved, minutely 2-toothed, mucronate or awned from between the teeth, rarely entire, glabrous or pilose near the margins; palea 2-keeled, glabrous or ciliolate-scaberulous, equalling or shorter than the lemma.

A genus of 6 species in southern Europe, northern and Central Asia to North-west India; 1 species occurs in Pakistan.